FILE PHOTOS: The First Couple – Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Liza Araneta-Marcos – and King Charles III. | PHOTOS: Bongbong Marcos FB Page and AFP
WASHINGTON D.C., United States — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. left the United States on Thursday (Friday, Manila time) for the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the coronation of King Charles III.
The UK-bound plane carrying the President and his party took off from the Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Upon arriving in the UK, the President and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are expected to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace on May 5.
King Charles III’s coronation ceremony will be on May 6.
READ: Factbox: Key moments in King Charles’ coronation
In a briefing with the Philippine media delegation before leaving the US, Marcos said he will meet with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the coronation.
He may also meet with other world leaders if he finds an opening in his “very busy” schedule for the coronation of King Charles III.
Marcos justified his trip to the UK, saying it is only proper for him to attend the coronation since he personally knows the new king.
LIVE UPDATES: Coronation of King Charles III
“Sa palagay ko, dahil magkakilala kami, dapat naman. Napakalaking bagay na siya’y kokoronahan bilang hari ng UK at dapat makapag-attend na ako,” he said.
(I think it is only proper since we know each other. It’s a big deal that he will be crowned king of the UK and I should be able to attend.)
London would be the President’s 12th foreign trip in less than a year since he assumed office on June 30, 2022.
READ: Factbox: What to expect from King Charles’ coronation on May 6
In September 2022, Marcos had a three-day state visit to Indonesia, a two-day state visit to Singapore, a six-day working visit to the United States for the 77th United Nations General Assembly, and another trip to Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix.
In November 2022, Marcos went to Cambodia for the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summits and related meetings and to Thailand for the 29th Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec).
The following month, Marcos attended a summit between Asean and European Union leaders in Brussels, Belgium.
READ: More foreign trips lined up for Marcos next year
In January this year, Marcos had a three-day state visit to Beijing, China and also attended the 2023 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In February, Marcos went to Japan for a four-day official visit.
After his trip to the United States and London, Marcos is scheduled to return to Indonesia for the Asean Summit slated this May.
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